Gate defeat in tight Enfield game

By Tom Morris

Margate travelled to Enfield on Tuesday night in the Isthmian Premier League and were beaten by a Josh Urquhart goal just after the hour mark.

Margate started brightly and Leighton (1’) panicked the keeper by charging down a back pass but the sliced clearance fell kindly to a defender who smashed the ball away from danger. The Gate continued to press forward; Swift almost scored from a Richards corner (11’) but saw his effort cleared off the line before Bancroft played a neat 1-2 with Leighton (17’), rounded the on rushing keeper, but fired his shot over the bar with the empty goal at his mercy!

Enfield hit back through Kianebeni who forced a good save from Vose in the 29th minute before another Richards corner ping-ponged in the hosts box (34’) before being headed over the crossbar from Swift. There was just enough time for Delle Verde to fire a snapshot just wide of the post before the ref blew the whistle and the teams went in at the break 0-0.

Enfield started the second half the brighter, Swift denied Blackman (51’) with a great sliding tackle as the hosts grew in confidence. At the other end another corner dropped nicely in the box but no Gate attacker could get a telling touch on the ball.

Then in the 61st minute the games only goal was scored. Vose parried an Urquhart shot behind for a corner and from that the same player rose highest and headed the ball home. 1-0 Enfield.

Jay made two changes replacing Leighton and Moncur with Hatton and Ufuah and despite retaining the lions share of possession the Gate just could not find a way through the Enfield defence. After 4 minutes of added time the whistle blew, and the Gate lost for the fourth successive league game.

Margate: Vose, Richards, Porter, Prestedge, Friend, Swift ©, Afrane-Kesey, Burnett, Leighton, Moncur, Bancroft.

Subs: Kallmeier, Ufuah (Moncur 70’), Hatton (Leighton 81’), Steele.

Next up is a trip to Bognor Regis on Saturday 24th October followed by the FA Trophy game away at Aylesbury United on Sunday 1st November.

More news